CARDIFF CITY skipper Darren Purse has urged Bluebirds bosses to let manager Dave Jones sign a number of new players when the January transfer window opens.

It could be the difference, Purse believes, between City finishing in the play-off spots or outside come next May.

In a Christmas wish, Purse said, "I'd like to see the club bring in some players.

"When we've got our first 16 out on the pitch, we're a match for most teams in the division.

"But where the problem comes is that when we get past those 16 players and we're having to call on 16 and 17-year-old players from the youth team who are only first-year pros.

"It's quite hard to ask them to come in to do a job, and it's going to be especially so when it comes to February and March time and the pressure will really be on.

"So, even if it's just a case of bringing in some players on loan, which has worked really well for us this season with the likes of Jason Koumas and Michael Ricketts, we could do with bringing a few new faces to boost the squad.

"The manager, Dave Jones, will have a wish list and we'll see what happens."

Purse went on, "Things are going okay for us at the moment.

"The problem we have is we're struggling a bit at home. Teams are coming to Ninian Park and sticking 10 men behind the ball and it's been tough for us to break them down.

"We'll get used to it, though. It's just a bit of a learning curve for us.

"We're still a new team and everything will come together.

"It's actually a bit of a compliment that teams are coming here and playing like that.

"Since we beat Crewe heavily at home at the end of October every team has come to Ninian Park and played 4-5-1.

"It is flattering, but it's not helping us, and we're not getting as many points as we want at home.